In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy.

Beat in the egg yolks, lemon zest, lemon juice and vanilla. Add the flour mixture in 2 additions and beat just until moist clumps form. Gather the dough together into a ball.

Pince off the dough to form 1-inch balls. Place on the prepared baking sheets, spacing 1-inch apart. Use your floured index finger to create depressions in the center of each ball. Fill each indentation with nearly 1/2 teaspoon of jam. Bake until golden brown, about 14 minutes. (You don't want these brown) (the ones in the pic above are too brown) (My mistake!)

Ingredients

Instructions

Cut the hot dog as shown in the diagram.

Insert the long toothpick into the hot dog, making sure to pierce both cuts of the hot dog.

Place the cream cheese into a Ziploc® plastic bag, making sure the bag is securely closed. Cut a small hole in one tip of the plastic bag. Decorate the top of the hot dog with the cream cheese to form the stocking cuff.

Place a sprig of parsely and a diced piece of red bell pepper on the cream cheese cuff for a festive holly garnish.

Easy one to make - just use store-bought doughnuts, gel icing, and candy to "decorate".

Even if you don't have a sweet tooth, you will still love this candy cane
cheese spread. Beat 2 packages (8 oz. each) of cream cheese and 1/2 stick of
softened butter in a large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until
smooth. Add 2 tablespoons of chives, 2 tablespoons of parsley flakes, 1 teaspoon
garlic pepper with red bell and black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of dill weed, and 1/4
teaspoon of thyme. Beat well. Spoon cheese mixture onto plastic wrap and form
into candy cane shape, then fold plastic wrap over and refrigerate at least four
hours. At time of the party, garnish with chopped red peppers and serve with
assorted crackers.

This appetizer wreath was easy to make ahead. This recipe will make 28 or more servings.

I’m guessing on the amount of broccoli, celery and diced red pepper. I just diced and sprinkled it on until it looked full enough.
Remove crescent dough from packaging, but do not unroll it. Cut each tube into ten [rather than eight] slices. Arrange in a circle on an ungreased 16-in. pizza pan. I lined my pan with parchment paper. Arrange the remaining crescent rolls in a smaller circle just inside the first one.
Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes before carefully removing to a serving platter; cool completely.
In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, dill, garlic powder, dry onion, Worcestershire sauce and salt until smooth. Spread a little under the wreath to keep it from sliding off the platter. Spread mixture over the wreath; top with broccoli, celery and sweet red pepper. Create a bow with sweet red pepper to garnish the wreath. If I had had some cherry tomatoes handy, I would have dotted some of those on the wreath, as well.
Slice into 28 or more servings.

Blot bell pepper with paper towel to remove excess moisture. Sprinkle about 1/4 teaspoon bell pepper on each wedge or arrange to form a garland. If desired, cover and refrigerate up to 8 hours before serving.

Notes: For variety, use cilantro in place of the parsley. If you have time, make your own guacamole. Simply mash a ripe avocado and throw in a dash of salt, lime juice and chopped garlic.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Lay out your pretzels in a single layer on a sheet pan. Place an unwrapped kiss on each one. Pop them in a 300* oven for about 2 minutes until the kisses are softened but not melted. Squish another pretzel on top (make sure a little of the softened kiss comes up between a few of the pretzel panes so everything stays together) and call it delicious!! Let them set up at room temperature for a while and chill them in the fridge if necessary.

(If you don't like peppermint, you could use hugs, or reg. chocolate kisses)

Friday, December 13, 2013

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Matthew 2:4-6

Monday, December 9, 2013

Pick a jar that fits the size of the candy canes. You can use a baby food jar with small candy canes. For larger candy canes you can use any jar you already have, even empty spaghetti sauce jars. If you want several arrangements to look the same you’ll need jars the same size for that. If you prefer Mason jars check your local thrift shop for them. You are much cheaper there than brand new in stores.
Use masking tape to hold the candy canes onto the jar. Place the tape where you want the ribbon. Then cover it with a ribbon wide enough to cover the masking tape. Tie the ends of the ribbon in a bow for a finished look.
Add water to the jars when you add the roses (or other flowers). Add greenery as you like.